Testing positive for COVID-19
What should you do now?
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 on a RAT or PCR test, you must self-isolate 7 days from the date you got tested, even if you are fully vaccinated. If you have any symptoms after 7 days, you should stay in isolation until 24 hours after your symptoms have disappeared.
You may only leave isolation to get a COVID-19 test, seek medical attention, or to avoid an emergency situation or harm.
When self-isolating, you should:
- stay separated from people you live with
- use a separate bathroom if possible
- stay in a separate room
- avoid sharing household items including dishes, cups, towels and bedding
- avoid shared facilities, including common areas, the gym, laundry room, pool or shared outdoor areas
- wear a mask in shared areas
- wash your hands regularly
- clean surfaces you touch
Who should you notify?
If you have tested positive on a Rapid Antigen Test, you should register your result with Service NSW. You do not need to register your result if you tested positive on a PCR test.
You should immediately notify anyone you live with, and anyone you have been with in the 2 days leading up to your positive test result. We will notify all facilities you have worked at in the 2 days prior to your positive result.
If you have tested positive and are under 65 years of age, double vaccinated, are not pregnant and have no chronic health conditions, you can safely look after yourself at home.
However, if you are considered high risk of severe disease, you should contact your GP.
This includes individuals who are:
- 65 years or older
- Unvaccinated
- Immunocompromised
- Pregnant
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
Monitor your symptoms
In most cases, people who contract COVID-19 will have mild symptoms and will recover in a few days.
For more information on how you can manage mild COVID-19, click here.
If you develop any of the following severe symptoms, you should call 000 immediately:
- Severe dizziness
- Confusion
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pressure or pain lasting more than 10 minutes
- Inability to stand
Find support
If you need access to essentials:
- utilise grocery delivery services eg. Coles Online, Woolworths, IGA Online, Uber Eats.
- call the NSW Health Isolation Support Line on 1800 943 553
If you need mental health support:
- NSW Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
- Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
If you need financial support: